28 early-career researchers recently attended the International Symposium on Foldamers with support from the FoldNetUK Early Career Researcher (ECR) Travel Bursary Scheme. Here, we speak to three of these bursary recipients – Nikhil Baypayee, Federica Balduzzi, and Kushal Samanta – about their experiences.
Nikhil Baypayee, Queen’s University Belfast
“Attending the International Symposium on Foldamers was an incredible experience that provided me with the opportunity to engage with researchers from around the world,” said Nikhil. “The event was exceptionally well-organised, featuring insightful lectures that deepened my understanding of foldamers across various biological systems, including proteins and carbohydrates.”
“This support allowed me to fully immerse myself in the conference and benefit from the scientific exchange,” he said.
“A major highlight for me was meeting Prof. Dr. Andrew Hamilton, whose pioneering work has been a key inspiration for my own research. Presenting my poster gave me the chance to discuss my project with distinguished professors and fellow researchers, gaining valuable feedback and new perspectives.”
“My key takeaway from the symposium is that we can learn from nature to design molecules with specific functions – an approach that requires combining knowledge from biology, chemistry, and computational sciences. This experience has broadened my scientific outlook and strengthened my motivation to continue exploring foldamers. It also opened doors for future collaborations with scientists across the globe, which I believe will be invaluable for my research career.”
Federica Balduzzi, University of Cambridge
Federica Balduzzi also described the symposium as a motivating and enriching experience.
“The atmosphere was really stimulating. The talks were of very high quality, and I appreciated the discussions that followed,” Federica said. “It was inspiring to see how the field is developing and to meet researchers who are contributing to it from many different perspectives.”
“The financial support allowed me to take part without worrying about the cost of travel and accommodation. It meant that I could focus fully on enjoying the conference and engaging with other participants.”
“I also really enjoyed the discussions during the poster sessions – they were constructive, and it was great to exchange ideas directly with other participants. These interactions gave me new perspectives and made the whole experience especially rewarding.”
“This experience has strengthened my motivation and enthusiasm for continuing in this area of research.”
Kushal Samanta, University of Birmingham
For Kushal Samanta, the symposium was “a high-impact in-person gathering for the foldamer community, well-suited for presenting new work and networking.”
“The bursary covered a significant portion of my registration, travel, and accommodation costs,” he explained. “Without the financial support, it would not have been easy to take part, especially since the conference was held in London, where expenses can be high.”
“One of the biggest highlights for me was discussing my work with scientists such as Ivan Huc, Giles Guichard, and Chris Hunter, whose papers I have been reading for years. Their feedback was thoughtful and encouraging, and a few of those conversations sparked ideas for a new direction I had not considered. It reminded me how valuable it is to step outside the lab and share ideas face-to-face.”
“The symposium inspired me to pursue a long-term research career in foldamer chemistry,” Kushal noted. “I also came to know about the possibility of securing small funding to collect pilot data that can be used to apply for an independent grant. If possible, I want to apply for this small grant to further consolidate this experience and potential collaborations to enhance the scope of my future projects.”
About the FoldNetUK ECR Travel Bursary Scheme
If you’re a UK-based early career researcher interested in attending conferences or workshops nationally or internationally, consider applying for a FoldNetUK ECR Travel Bursary. These awards provide valuable support to help emerging scientists advance their research careers and can cover up to £1,500 in expenses, including registration, travel, accommodation, and subsistence.